Railroad-ballast-removing machine



Oct. 9, 1928. 1,687,313

' J. F. ROBB RAILROAD BALLAST REMOVING MACHINE Original Filed ch 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l gmmrm I attoz MW Oct. 9, 1928. 1,687,313

I J. F. ROBB RAILROAD BALLAST REMOVING MACHINE led March 9, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Origifial F /4 1 Patented Oct. 9, 192 8.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. ROBIB, OE CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO.

RAILBOAD-BALLAST-REMOVING MACHINE.

Original application flledMarch 9, 1923, Serial. No. 623,965. Divided and this application filed November 11,

The problems of railroad maintenance up to the time ofthis invention have been ones involving largely, work done upon theroad bed by manual labor. Included in this work is the removal of the ballast between the railroad ties, and a primary object of this invention has been toproduce mechanical means operated by a suitable motor, for accomplishing ballast removal.

It is of course known that the ballast between railroad ,ties is disposed beneath at cated.

My invention deals with the above problems of ballast removal by providing a suitable mechanism supported by a portable traction body adapted to be. advanced'along the track, which mechanism includes digging devices adapted. to engage the ballast and gradually remove the same from .between the ties by shifting the ballast lengthwise of the ties until said ballast is displaced to a point at a side of the track.

In the carrying out of my invention I have designed my digging mechanism so that it comprises a series of digging teeth or members mounted upon a supporting frame and combined with power actuating-means for imparting to the frame and digging teeth, a back and forth oscillating movement during which the digging teeth engage and act upon the ballast to carry the latter longitudinally between the space along the ties. Preliminary to the ballast removing action of the digging teeth, the means aforesaid will of course be positioned above the space between the ties from which space the ballast is to be removed.

My invention deals in respect to the above mechanism with the problem of removing broken stone ballast, but in addition to the means generally referred to I utilize a modified adaptation of the digging devices, in

Serial No. 68,387.

conjunction with pneumatic suction instru mentalities, whereby to handle ballast of sand or cinders, such materials being susceptible of removal from between the ties more easily than the rock ballast used extensively in certain parts of the country.

A full understanding of my invention will be -had upon reference to the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings: in which- F igurel, is a sectional view of a machine embodying my invention, the supporting framework parts of the machine being generally illustrated only in the digging mechanism fully presented.

Figure 2, is an end view of my novelballast removing mechanism showing the main supporting framework of the machine broken away intermediate its ends.

Figure 3, is a detailed sectional view of certain gearing parts by which motion is transmitted to the digging frame.

Figure 4, is a sectional view showing the modified form of my invention adapted for use for sand and cinder ballast removal.

Figure 5, is a top plan View of the devices shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive.

Rock ballast 'emoong mechanism.

This mechanism in one of its embodiments is shown in Fig. 1, and it is notable that I utilize a digger frame 45 which carries a plurality of yieldable diggers or teeth 46 arranged in series both longitudinally of the machine and transversely, if desired. These diggers are spaced at points where the rails A are located, so that in the reciprocating or oscillating movement of the diggers there is a free space at opposite sides of the rails, between certain series of the diggers, preventing other than yielding contact, if any, between the diggers 46 and said rails. Diggers 46 are supported by depending brackets or arms 46 on the digger frame 45. Pivotal connections 46 are provided between the parts 46 and 46 The diggers 46 are adapted to yield in one direction, namely in the direction of their digging movement, but are formed with lugs or extensions 46 that limit their movement in an opposite direction by abutment with the brackets or arms 46*. This construction is clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. While I have shown a series of diggers or teeth 46 three deep in the transverse direction of the machine, obviously as seen in Fig. 2, a lesser number of these teeth may be employed, and preferably will be, in view of the limited conditions of space between ties. The digger frame 45 is oscillated by means of crank shafts 47 on a supporting frame 48, below which the digger frame is arranged. Bearing arms 49 project vertically from the frame 45 and receive the shafts 47 in suitable bearings therein, said shafts 47 being simultaneously driven by a sprocket chain or equivalent gearing designated 50, said chain engaging sprockets 51 on the several shafts 47 The means for driving the chain 50 comprises the gearing shown best in Fig. 3, embodying a bevel gear 52 meshing with the gear 53 on avertical shaft 54 equipped with aslip joint 55 permitting the raising and lowering of the digger frame 45 out of and into action, respectively, without discontinuing the drive on the diggers 46, or when they are idle. Shaft 54 has a bevel gear 56 at its upper. end meshing with a similar gear 57 on a horizontal shaft 58, see Fig. 3. The shaft 58 is geared to the main power shaft 9 in an evident manner. To lower and raise the digger frame 45 as required under actual conditions of service, I utilize the motive force of compressed air again by means of cylinders 59 equipped with piston rods 60 attached at their lower ends to their supporting frame 48. Air is fed from the compressed air tank or reservoir 6 thru a pipe 61 to a horizontal pipe 62, which has communication thru valve chests 63 with the cylinders 59. Valve levers for the valves are connected together by a rod 7 0 which is operable by a lever 71, so as to open and close the valves simultaneously. This arrangement enables the raising and lowering of the pistons in the cylinders 59, and the consequent raising and lowering of the frames 48 and 45 and diggers 46.

Under control of the valve lever 71, see Figure 1, the diggers may be gradually lowered in order to correspondingly carry them in working engagement with the ballast, and by mere variation in the admission of air pressure in the cylinders 59 the speed of lowering and raising may be changed at will. Under these conditions a greater or lesser amount of motive force may be applied to the diggers as required by actual conditions of service and depending somewhat on the density of the ballast, or the character of the latter.

It is contemplated, of course, that the oscillating movement of the diggers 46 shall be utilized to gradually ,dig into and shift the ballast, especially rock or gravel ballast, endwise from the space between the ties of the roadbed, and a side of a tie substantially entirely exposed. The opposite side of the tie will then be similarly exposed by the action of the diggers.

Sand and cinder ballast removing meoham'sm.

Figure 4, illustrates a structure of my machine in which I contemplate another method of ballast removal.

Where sand or cinder ballast is used, the problem of removing the ballast is more simple than in connection with rock ballasted railroads. Thus it is that for handling sand and cinder ballast I contemplate employing the modified construction of Fig. 4, wherein is shown a hollow head 143 suitably supported so as to be raised and lowered above the space between a pair of railroad ties B. In the drawings the ballast is designated at C, and located as usual between and at the ends of the ties B. The head or casing 143 is notched out at two points intermediate its ends, so that it may be lowered over the rails, the notched portions being designated 144. When the head 143 is dropped down upon the ballast between a pair of ties, the notches 144 receiving the rails, a digger or scratcher 145 having teeth 146 is reciprocated in contact with the sand or cinder ballast so as to loosen the latter. A suction fan 147 is located in a casing 148 on the frame 3 of the machine, and is adapted to draw up thru pipes or conduit-s 149, the loosened ballast C. The conduits 149 connect the head 143 with. the casing 148, and said casing 148 may be formed with downwardly extending discharge branches 150 having gates 151 at their lower extremities. The gates 151 should preferably incline laterally or transversely of the machine, so that the contents of the casing may be dropped into space between ties for replacing the ballast between renewed ties, or renewed and old ties, pre paratory to tamping said ballast in place. Reversal of the operation of the suction fan 147 will facilitate the forcing of the ballast received in the casing 148 out thru the discharge outlets or branches 150.

By the use of my machine a single operator may be employed for controlling certain levers of the tract-ion mechanism to advance the machine intermittently to bring the ballast removin devices over the spaces between ties. (She or two laborers may be employed if necessary to assist in getting the rock ballast away from the extreme end of the ties toward which it is shifted, if this should be necessary. As the machine is moved along the track longitudinally thereof, it is supported on the track wheels 14 atopposite ends. To quickly get the machine off the track, I provide endless traction devices 1 on the mam supporting frame until said ballast is practically at one side 3, adapted to be lowered to provide traction supports on whiclrthe machine may travel off of the track and on again, relatively qnickly so as not to interfere with the operation of trains of the railway system using said track. As the traction supporting means forms the subject matter of a separate application" for patent, I do not think it necessary to describe it more particularly herein, since this application is primarily directedto the ballast removing feature of the machine. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a railroad machine for the purpose described, the combination with traction supporting means adapted to operate along a railroad track, of ballast removing mechanism, the same comprising diggers, and means for operating said diggers to shift the ballast between ties toward the ends of the ties from the space therebetween.

2. In a railroad machine for thelpurpose described, the combination with traction supporting means, of ballast removing mechanism, the same comprising diggers, and means for operating said diggers to shift the ballast between ties toward the ends of the ties from the space -therebe-- tween, the traction supporting means. being adapted to be propelled longitudinally of a track over which it operates and the diggers being disposed transversely of the machine to operate lengthwise of cross ties, and means for moving the diggers into and out of operative action in relation to the ballast.

3(I'n a railroad machine for the purpose described, the combination with traction supporting means to support the machine on railroad rails, of ballast removing'mechanism, the same comprising yieldable diggers, and means for operating said diggers to shift the ballast between ties toward the ends of the ties from the space therebetween, and means connecting the diggers with the traction supporting means.

4. In a railroad machine for the purpose described, the combination with traction supporting means to support the machine on railroad rails, ,of ballast removing mechanism, the same comprising yieldable diggers, means for operating said diggers to shift the ballast between ties toward the ends of the ties from the space therebetween, the dlggers being arranged with spaces therebetween adapted to receive the rails of the track.

5. In a railroad machine for the purpose described, the combination with traction supporting means, to support the machine on railroad rails, of ballast removing mechanism, the same comprising yieldable diggers, means for operating saiddiggers to shift the ballast between ties towards the ends of the ties from the 'space therebemeans for operating said diggers to shift the ballast between ties toward the ends of the ties from the space therebetween, the diggers being arranged with spaces therebetween adapted to receive the rails of the track, and means for oscillating the diggers to cause them to gradually transfer the ballast from between the ties to a oint of the r ends thereof, the last mentione means including shafts,crank means carrled'by sald shafts, connections between the crank means andthe diggers, and means for rotating said shafts.

7. In a railroad machine for the purpose described, in combination, a traction support comprising means whereby the machine may be moved along a railroad track above the ballasted road bed thereof, ballast removing mechanism mounted upon said traction support and comprising diggers operating transversely of the latter and therefore lengthwise of the ties of the track over which the machine is adapted to operate, and power mechanism on the traction supporting means for feeding the diggers downward into the space between the ties of a track and onto the ballast between such ties, and for raising the diggers.

8. In a railroad machine for the purpose described, in combination, a traction support comprising means whereby the machine may. be moved alon a railroad track above the ballasted road fi ed thereof, ballast removing mechanism mounted upon said traction support and comprising diggers o erating trans versely of the latter and there ore lengthwise of the ties of the track over which the machine is adapted to operate, and power mechanism on the traction supporting means for feeding the diggers downward into the space between the tles of a track and onto carried by the digger frame to act on said ballast, and means for moving said diggers to cause excavating action thereof.

10. In a railroad machine for the purpose carried by the digger frame to act on said ballast, and means for oscillating the diggers while subjected to the positive movement of the means by which they are lowered I to engage the ballast.

11. In a railroad machine for the purpose described, in combination, a main traction supporting frame having traction means enabling it to move longitudinally of a railroad track road bed, an auxiliary frame carried by said traction supporting means, means for lowering said auxiliary frame and raising it at desired speeds of movement, digging mechanism carried by said auxiliary frame and arranged transversely of the traction supporting means so as to operate between cross ties of the roadbed, means for communicating digging motion to said digging mechanism while it is being raised or lowered, and power means on the traction supporting means for actuation of the last mentioned means.

12. In a machine of the class described, a su porting frame adapted to be moved longitu inally of a road bed, a plurality of digging means carried by said frame and spaced from each other, and actuating means for said digging means operative laterally of said road bed whereby the material moved by one digging means is deposited in the operative field of another digging means.

13. In a machine of the class described, a supporting frame movable along the road bed, separate digging instrumentalities operable upon the ballast at points inside and outside of the rails, and actuating means therefor operable downwardly and laterally to impart corresponding movements to the digging instrumentalities whereby the material moved by one di ging means is deposited in the operative field of another diggmg means.

14. In a'railroad machine for the purpose described, in combination, a traction support adapted to travel along a railway track, a digger frame mounted thereon to reciprocate transversely of the track upon which the support is ada ted to travel, and digger members pivota 1y mounted upon said digger frame to swing transversely of the track over which the traction support is adapted to travel.

15. Apparatus for removing ballast from the road bed of a railway track comprising ging up the material between adjacent ties and removing the same from the space between said ties. i

17. Apparatus for removing ballast from the road bed of a railway track comprising a car and means supported thereon and operating on the road-bed surface between ties for digging up the material between adjacent ties and moving the same in a direction parallel to the ties to a place beyond the ends of the ties.

18. Apparatus for removing ballast from the road bed of a railway track camprising a car and means supported thereon and operating on the road bed surface between ties for digging up the material between adjacent ties and moving the same under one of the rails and to a place beyond the ends of the ties.

.19. Apparatus for removing ballast from the road bed of a railway track comprising a car and means supported thereon for ex cavating the material between a pair of adjacent ties and under the rail bearing thereon.

20. Apparatus for removing ballast from the road bed of a railway track comprising a car and means supported thereon and operating on the road bed surface between ties for excavating the material between a pair of adjacent ties and under the rail bearing thereon and moving said material outwardly beyond the ends of the ties. I

21. Apparatus for removing ballast from the road bed of a railway track comprising a car and means supported thereon for excavating the material between a pair of adjacent ties and under the rail bearing thereon and moving said material outwardly beyond the ends of the ties, and means for digging up the material within the rails and moving the same outwardly in the space between said ties.

22. Apparatus for removing ballast from the road bed of a railway track comprising a car, a digger supported thereon extending transversely of the ties and arranged to operate in the space between adjacent ties, and means for moving said digger over a path parallel to said ties to dig up and carry material from the center portion of the track toward the ends of the ties.

23. Apparatus for removing ballast from the road bed of a railway track. comprising a car, a digger supported thereon extending transversely of the ties and arranged tooperate in the space between adjacent ties,

means for moving said digger over'a path parallel to said ties to dig up and carry material from the center portion of the track toward the ends of the ties, and means for progressively lowering the digger as the excavation of material proceeds.

24. Ap aratus for removing ballast from the road lied of a railway track comprising i a 'car, a pair of diggers suplported thereon extending transversel of t e ties and arranged to operate in t e space between adjacent ties, one of said diggers being between the rails and the other outside of one of the rails, and means for moving said diggers over paths parallel to the ties.

25. Apparatus for removing ballast from the road bed of a railway track comprising a car, a pair of diggers supported thereon extending tranversely of the ties and arranged to operate in the space between adja-.

cent ties, oneof said diggers being between the rails and the other outside of one of the rails, and means for moving said diggers over paths parallel to the ties, one of said diggers being adapted to excavate material from underneath a rail.

26. An apparatus for removing material from the road bed of a railway track com- :diggin mechanisms.

27. apparatus for removing material from between the ties of a railway track, comprising a car movable along a track, digging means mounted on the car to move transversely of the track between a air of ties, and means for operating said igging means.

28. An apparatus for removing material from between the ties of a railway track, comprising a car movable along a track, digging units mounted on the car to move in opposite directions transversely of the track between a pair of ties, and means for operating said digging means.

In testimony w ereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN F. ROBB.

ace-under the rail and between i 

